EPSB Closing Schools In Poor Neighbourhoods
EPSB’s sector approach to closing schools raises questions. Why is the closure process focusing on the poorest and weakest neighborhoods when 50% of Edmonton Public School Board schools have declining enrollment? Is there a ‘bigger’ problem?
Edmonton Sun (09/11/12 Inner-city schools in tough) says ‘parents warn that if any of them get the axe, years of work wrestling the surrounding neighbourhoods from the grip of gangsters, drug dealers and pimps will be undone.’
A parent said, ‘It just feels like they’re trying to appease us, as opposed to involve us.’
Is the EPSB confusing sound planning practices with public relations and reaping the consequences?